Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Increasing Eastern Bluebirds in Kansas Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service Increasing Eastern Bluebirds — 1 Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Increasing Eastern Bluebirds — 2 Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Increasing Eastern Bluebirds in Kansas Natural History Because bluebirds prefer a mixture of open grasslands and scattered trees and shrubs, they are often called a forest “edge” species. B luebirds can bring a lot of joy and beauty into our Appropriate bluebird grassland lives. Early settlers called the eastern bluebird the har- habitat consists of open meadows, pastures, yards, cemeteries, parks, binger of spring or blue robin because of its chestnut orange and highway right-of-ways. Blue- breast and iridescent-blue back and tail. One of Kansas' com- birds also exist in old orchards and mon resident passerine birds, this strikingly elegant bird is cutover woodlands. admired most for its beauty, gentle disposition, family devo- tion, and delightful call. Also, it is easily attracted to home In these habitats they consume grasshoppers, flying insects, and farm surroundings when nesting structures are con- beetles, and caterpillars during structed and placed correctly. short forays to the ground from an elevated perch during the summer. However, the eastern bluebird population has declined drasti- During winter they travel in flocks, cally, not only in Kansas but also nationwide. Estimates run as feeding primarily on berries or high as 90 percent fewer in the last four decades. A major fruits. cause is the decrease in nesting sites. Bluebirds are cavity nesters whose natural nesting sites are tree holes they do not The eastern bluebird’s breeding season in Kansas extends from make themselves. Clearing land, using fewer wood fences, March through July, although the and eliminating dead trees have destroyed many cavity nest- birds occasionally may initiate ing sites. nesting into August. Peak breeding activity in Kansas begins in April. Another major detriment to bluebirds is the overwhelming Normally, bluebirds raise two to three broods per year, often using competition from non-native starlings and house sparrows. the same nesting site each time. Bluebirds are rural and do not nest in cities or towns, al- though occasionally they will nest on the edges of small The female selects a proper nesting towns. site 4 to 6 feet above ground in a natural cavity or hole excavated by There are ways to increase bluebird numbers. One way is to another animal. The nest is a neat, provide nesting boxes, an effort underway nationwide. Kan- cup-shaped structure made of fine sans would benefit greatly from participating in this effort. grass. The female lays one egg per day for 4 to 6 days and incubates the pale blue eggs for 12 to 14 days. Increasing Eastern Bluebirds — 3 Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Trailway Plans for Homesteading the Bluebird in Kansas Wymore, NE Marysville Waterville Blue Rapids Randolph Riley Junction City Bennington Alta Vista 18 Chapman Council Grove 24 Strong City Cottonwood Falls Matfield Green Cassoday 77 Augusta El Dorado Douglas Winfield Arkansas City Oklahoma State Line In eastern Kansas, the proposed bluebird corridor follows Highway 77 north to south. Another section follows Highways 18 and 24 west to east from Bennington to De Soto. (See explanation on page 3.) Soon after hatching, the fledglings How You Can Help Slot, and Bleach Bottle. Bluebird sprout feathers. At this time, they Perhaps the most severe problem houses can be purchased or built. have gray backs coupled with facing bluebirds today is the lack of spotted white breasts and only a suitable nesting sites. Allowing Building and providing nest boxes hint of blue in the wing and tail trees to mature and develop natural for songbirds can be rewarding for feathers. Young birds remain in the nesting cavities is a lengthy process. people of all ages. The ease of nest from 15 to 18 days. However, humans can speed it up building and maintaining makes by providing artificial nest boxes. this hands-on activity a good After they leave the nest, the male Bluebirds readily accept manmade educational experience in avian is in charge of the fledglings. He nest boxes and, in some cases, biology for youth clubs, classes, feeds the growing birds and teaches prefer them to natural cavities. and individuals. This can also be a them how to obtain food. This These boxes are easy to build, set successful money-generating training continues for several days up, and maintain. project if you sell the boxes. Also until the youngsters can feed helpful is a videotape showing themselves. During this time the Bluebirds appear to be site-specific different types of bluebird houses, female is busy constructing a new in their acceptance of artificial their placement, and maintenance. nest for the second or third brood. nesting structures. This publication It is available through your nearest provides plans for four different county Research and Extension styles of nest boxes: Zeleny, Davis, office. Increasing Eastern Bluebirds — 4 Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ material weathers well and is often Groups wishing to have a program Nest Box Construction used for siding on homes. Because on the bluebird house project can Materials it does not warp easily, it may be contact the Research and Extension Select durable, weather-resistant used as a roof when other lumber is Wildlife Office, Room 128, Call materials because a properly used on the rest of the box. Hall, Kansas State University, constructed nest box should last 10 Manhattan, Kansas 66506-1600. to 15 years. Most kinds of lumber or Boxes can be constructed of new or Telephone number is (785) 532-5654. exterior plywood are satisfactory. old lumber. Those constructed of The most durable woods for nest old lumber are less noticeable, box construction are red cedar, already weathered, and probably redwood, bald cypress, and red or less expensive. You can build nest white oak. These are usually boxes of either rough or smooth expensive and tend to split when (planed) lumber. Do not use wood nails are driven into them without treated with preservatives such as pre-drilled holes. Spruce, pine, or creosote or pentachlorophenol hemlock are less durable, but are (penta). Some people get wooden easier to work with and are less crates used for shipping grapes at 1 3 expensive. Exterior grade ⁄2 to ⁄4 local grocery stores. This wood is inch plywood, called T-11, may be reportedly useful for constructing used in place of lumber. This nest boxes. Properly constructed houses encourage bluebirds to homestead Kansans have proposed creating a bluebird corridor. They would like to place and maintain bluebird nests north and south through Kansas 25 miles on either side of a line from Marysville to Arkansas City. A bluebird corridor also runs along Highways 18 and 24 from Bennington east. Within that area, it may be possible to have an experi- enced bluebird person meet with your group and explain their enjoyment and success in helping the bluebird population in Kansas. Several retired persons have agreed to speak to groups. The Research and Extension Wildlife office will make arrangements and schedules. Individuals and groups wishing to establish bluebird trails, (a series of bluebird houses in a line spaced at least 300 yards apart), can seek ad- ditional information and possibly special funds by contacting the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Non-game Program, P.O. Box 1525, Emporia, Kansas 66801. Figure 2. Bluebird House (after Davis) Increasing Eastern Bluebirds — 5 Outdated Publication, for historical use. CAUTION: Recommendations in this publication may be obsolete. ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ Construction of Traditional Use dry wall screws, wood screws, Move the door back and forth Zeleny Nest Box corrugated underlayment nails, or several times so it will move easily. galvanized nails. Common or (After Zeleny 1976) smooth nails are unsatisfactory If the house is to be placed on a Cut pieces shown in Figure 3. because they do not hold well. Con- fence, drill four holes in the back crete coated, ring shank, or rough- above and below the box and place Measure and mark a point approxi- ened shank nails are recommended galvanized wire through them to mately 2 inches from the top of the for boxes constructed of cedar or allow for hanging. Wire the box front and back pieces. Using nails, redwood. firmly to the metal post. fasten one side on the top and bottom to the front and back pieces. It is unnecessary to paint nest boxes On the other side, fasten the side — exterior finishing may please the door with nails at the marked builder more than the occupant. points on the front and back. Unpainted boxes made of cedar, redwood, bald cypress, or oak will weather naturally and turn gray, blending with their surroundings. If you paint the boxes, select a water- based exterior latex paint. Use light color, green, gray or tan, to prevent overheating of eggs or young. Oil- based stains used on homes and fences also may be used, but do not use paints containing lead or chemical preservatives. Apply finishes only to exterior surfaces. Construction of Kentucky Bluebird House (After Davis 1988) Cut the pieces shown in Figure 2. Measure and mark a point approxi- mately 2 inches from the top of each side. Using nails, fasten the door to each side at the top only. Be sure to 1 3 leave about ⁄2 to ⁄4 inch of the door below the sides.